Clasp.



No. 650,25l. Patented MaY-22, I900.

E. N. HUMPHREY.

CLASP.

[Application flled Feb. 27. 1900.)

(No Modal.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST N. HUMPHREY, OF NEW BRIIAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE TRAUT & HINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CLAS P.

SPECIFICAIN formng part of Letters Patent No. 650,251, dated May 22, 1900.

Application filed February 27, 1900. Seral No. 6,706. (No modal.)

Io (LZZ wwm it may concern:

Be it known that I, RNEST N. HUMPHREY,

- The invention has for its obj'ect to reduce the cost and simplifythe manufacture of deviees of this character as well as to provide a device which Will have a firm grip on either thick or thin goods.

To this end the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as Will be now described, and the particular featurcs of novelty pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis et longitudinal sectional view of a clasp embodying the present improvements. Fig. 2

is a detail perspective view of the members of the clasp separated.

Similar letters of reference in both figures indicate the same parts.

The letterAindicates the upper and B the lower member or jaws of the clasp, formed of sheet metal, pivotally connected together and provided with the usual holdingteeth at their forward edges. The lower jaw is provided at the rear end with means for attachment to the garment-supporter or other article in connection With which the clasp may be used. Near the forward end of the lower jaw portions of the metal are struck up, f0rming luge or projections b, there being, preferably, two, both inclined slightly backward, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. Back of the lugs b a third lug is formed, preferably by striking out a portion of the plate itself, such portion being turned baok or rolled over to form around bearing, as shown clearly at 11 Fig. 1, for the spring, as Will presently be explained. The spring 0 for holding the jaws closed is preferabl fiat and of suitable size to lie between the jaws. The forward end of the spring is held by backwardly-inclined lugs I), and at an intermediate point it bears upon the support or bearing b its rear end pressing upwardly against the under side of the upper jaw A, which latter is preferably curved downward slightly at the edge to prevent the spring from slipping ont.

With the parts arranged as described when the rear ends of the jaws are pressed toward each other to open the clasp the spring Will be put under tension by being bent over the bearing or projection on the lower jaW. When the pressure is relieved, the spring Will assert itself and close the front ends of the jaws. The pivotal connection between the jaws is preferably, though not necessarily, formed by pivot-luge H on one ja.w, bent inwardly through bearings or apertures 72, in the other jaw. Thns no pin bridges the central space and the action of the spring is not interfered With.

It Will be seen that the clasp is exceedingly simple; consisting of but three parts, and at the same time it is strong and the spring firmly held in place when s0 desired without the employment of a pivot-pin.

Having thus described my invention, What I daim as neW, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A clasp embodying a pair of jaws piv otally connected at an intermediate point in their length, one of said jaws having a lug on its inner side near the forward end, a spring having its forward end confined beneath said lug and its opposite end engaging the opposite jaw in rear of the pivotal point and a support or bearing above the surface of the jaw upon which the spring resta at an intermediate point, whereby When the for- Ward ends of the j aws are separated the spring 7 Will be put under tension; substantially as described.

2. A clasp embodying a pair of jaWs pivbtally connected at an intermediate point by lugs on one jaw engaging bearings on the opposite jaw, one of sa1d gaws having a rear 

